Far North ready to play central role in national security

The Far North is perfectly poised to play a leading role in Australia’s national security according to the region’s peak economic organisation Advance Cairns, following the release of the 2026 National Defence Strategy.

The Federal Government’s commitment to significantly expand defence capability, particularly across northern Australia and maritime approaches, places Far North Queensland at the forefront of the nation’s evolving strategic posture.

Advance Cairns CEO Jennifer Spilsbury said the paper underscored the region’s strategic value and presented major opportunities for local industry and infrastructure development.
“The $250 million upgrade and construction of the new 212-metre wharf at HMAS Cairns will significantly expand the base’s capacity and strengthen its ability to support naval operations across the region, including foreign navies,” Ms Spilsbury said.

Once completed later this year, the upgraded wharf will allow HMAS Cairns to support the new Arafura-class Offshore Patrol Vessel fleet alongside other Royal Australian Navy vessels and visiting international ships. Six Arafura-class vessels are being introduced into service, with one already commissioned with the possibility of at least one being home-ported in Cairns from next year.

The strategy again also references new amphibious and littoral vessels under the Land 8710 program, with North Queensland identified as a potential home for some of these craft.
“While the final basing arrangements are yet to be confirmed, Cairns would clearly benefit from additional vessels being home-ported here,” Ms Spilsbury said.

“Supporting our own navy as well as visiting foreign navies brings significant economic benefits to the community through maintenance, provisioning and local spending.”
Ms Spilsbury said more infrastructure investment would also enhance Cairns’ role as a regional logistics and sustainment hub.

Advance Cairns continues to strongly advocate for the development of a Common User Facility, including a proposed 5000-tonne shiplift, which would further strengthen Cairns’ ability to support defence and commercial maritime operations.

“It simply doesn’t make sense to sail past Far North Queensland to undertake maintenance or resupply somewhere further south when those capabilities could be delivered right here. Defence will be looking for investments that save time and money.”

The strategy also highlights the importance of strengthening national logistics and infrastructure, including roads, ports, rail, telecommunications and fuel supply.
Ms Spilsbury said initiatives in the strategy such as the proposed National Fuel Council and emerging sustainable fuel industries could create additional opportunities for Far North Queensland.

“One exciting example is Jet Zero Australia, which is developing sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel using bioethanol from Australian agricultural byproducts,” she said.
“The Iranian conflict is showing us that we must build resilience in energy. With projects like Jet Zero we have the opportunity to become more self-reliant while turbocharging local industries.”

TAFE Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef International Marine College was ensuring the Far North was supporting defence and the marine sector with a number of courses providing comprehensive skills training in areas from communications and management to engineering.

“Far North Queensland has the geography, the infrastructure and the expertise to play a larger role in Australia’s defence future. This strategy shows that our region will be an important part of that story,” Ms Spilsbury said.

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